When building a home made Boat, is it ok to build with wood, then fiberglass over top?

Question

When building a home made Boat, is it ok to build with wood, then fiberglass over top?

Answer 1

This is actually quite a common practice, both in construction and in refurbishment of old timber built boats. If your on a budget, and you know what you're doing pressure treated ply, non marine grade would be ok. That depends on a lot of factors though and I suggest you research it appropriately.

If you want to lay fibreglass over it I suggest you use your timber as a core. Again, plenty of documentation. You have the advantage of being able to compress your composites without vacuum bagging (clamp with a shiny, rigid material with mold release wax on it (5 coats, 2 days drying)

Or if you just want to lash some glass over it for added protection and water sealant I'd go with about 3 layers of 6oz either side, keep with the woven stuff and away from matt as you don't have enough layers to pack it in well.

Hope that helps

Answer 2

sure, why not?

Answer 3

you should use Marine grade Plywood if you can but I must worn you it is very Pricey, you can use Pressure treated then Fiberglass over it, your public Library is full of how to books on Boat building, anything from row boats to sail boats,